Christmas 2012

Another Christmas come and gone. I'm so thankful for a video camera, a DSLR and my smartphone. Between the three, I can capture every image, word and memory my heart desires. While I love just being in the moment and not taking pictures or recording video clips, having those digital bits to cherish later makes me happy! 

Grain free, artificial dye free gingerbread boys!

Christmas Eve, we were invited to a friend's for an open house. We have known the Brandt family for quite a few years now and are just now getting around to the same duty station for the first time since we met! It's so nice to have friends that are more like family because generosity like that always makes us feel at home, no matter where we are. 

Toby the Elf made his second annual appearance. 

After playing and eating with the Brandts, we headed home to read the Pajama Elf in new jams and scurry off to bed. We were a bit later than planned, so it was nice that The Night Before Christmas was read aloud at the open house. 

Reading The Pajama Elf. 

After the kids went to bed, Santa's elves got right to work pulling gifts from the woodwork. 

Thankfully, Turner and Eli were so excited Christmas morning that after running in to our room to tell us of the Jolly Man's arrival

Christmas morning 2012.

Deacon was obviously preoccupied! 

New bike!

Play-doh makes him happy. 

Cool Lego boards my dad made from this tutorial. 

Deacon and his car mat back pack that I made from this idea. 

Our first video game system that hasn't even been opened yet! The kids
don't even realize what it is at this point.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 

My Most Favorite Christmas!

I've had a few Christmas mornings in my day, but this one takes the cake. Maybe it was my family finally being complete or maybe it was Turner's expressions as he opened gifts. Whatever the case, this was my absolute favorite Christmas, to date. 

Friday night we brought this hand made botique style tutu and wand to our friend AJ. She celebrated her second birthday Christmas Eve. 

 My sweet little reindeer has begun to sleep on his own, in his crib, for naps and a few hours at a time at night. He takes a baba and just coos himself to sleep. He's started sitting up and is just a delight. 

 Really, he's the ABSOLUTE reason I'd have 10 more kids. 

 Turner was SO excited to put the cookies out for the fat guy. 

 The tree and loot before the morning destruction! 

 Turner when he first spotted the stockings! 

 Eli is really not a morning person; especially when he's woken up.

Our family of five!

 These kids would have been content with their stockings. 

 My heart and my life! These crazy ass kids make my day. 

 Eli was quite overwhelmed and preferred to play with just a few toys. 

 Mainly, he loved the truck Turner picked out for him! 

 Light sabers were the popular toy. Along with the "Good Night" helmet and Star wars toys.

Deacon was kind enough to wait until after gifts to present us with an explosive diaper.

After he was all changed I sat him up and he he was able to balance for the first time!

 The sun in my shine and the happy in my ness. This little boy puts all my fears of three kids to rest.

 He is such a doll!

We had such a great morning watching the boys rip open gifts and really enjoy themselves!

And to All a Goodnight!

This was the first year Turner really "got" the whole gift thing. I was so excited I practically threw him down the stairs. He was a little confused but the realized there were some new toys out. He first recognized that the tree had gifts under it. Then, he saw the Thomas stuff in his stocking and went for that. After a little coaxing, he started investigating his trampoline and that was really fun! My little Nern is such a cautious kid, he always asks first. We'll see how long that lasts...

We had a great time opening gifts, sifting through tiny bits of paper and trying not to get stabbed by the tree. Ollie was in to EVERYTHING. We realized he's a wire chewer and that's no fun...

In all, Turner got waaaaaay too much. Trains, track, cars, trucks, a Sprig Rig, clothes, trampoline, musical instruments, doctor kits and the list goes on and on. Ollie got the usual 6 month old toys. It was just fun to get up early and enjoy John's gingerbread pancakes and turkey and apple sausage!